Loading gangway



S June 29 1926.

J. G.- RICHARDS LOADING GANGWAY Filed Feb. i1, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

J. G. RICHARDS .LOADI'NQ Mmmm! Fi1ed Feb. 11, 1924 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR. .Tyr/es .G1 Richards.

ATTORNEY.

Patented dune 29, if-)gg JAMES G. RICHARDS, OF DETROIT, lv'lICI-IGrAN.

LOADING GANGWAY.

Application filed February rhis invention relates to a double deck 'loading gangway for ships and the like and has for its principal object the provision of a gangway which may be raised or lowered to suit the diiference'in water levels due to tides and other influences.

Another object of the invention is that either the upper or the `lower gangway may be operated together or separately.

A further object of the invention is to provide an adjustable staircase attached to the upper platform of the loading gangway and supported on rollers at the base, which automatically adjusts itself to the required height of the structure at the same time keeping the steps parallel to the ground.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a loading gangway constructed to allow the loading and unloading of passengers simultaneously with the loading and i'lnloading` of pleasure vehicles, trucks, freight and the like.

These and other objects will be apparent from the following description wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invent-ion.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan View, showing its design and the general layout of the elevating mechanism which is supported on the lower gangway.

Fig. 2 is an elevation showing the adjustable stairway to the upper platform.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the gangway leading from the loading` platform to the ships side.

Fig. 4 is a detail showing lthe elevating mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a view of the control, motor and gearing for driving the elevating mechanism.

The upper platform 1 is supported on the lower platform 2 by the tubular columns 3 3, the structure, being securely braced by the rods 3ft-3^, and constituting the framework of the loading gangway.

Mounted on the upper platform 1 are guard-rail supports 1-1 having attached l1, 1924. Serial No. 692,061.

The lower platform 2 is also provided with a gangway 10 for loading vehicles, freight and the like. This gangway lis pivotally mounted on the lower platform at 1()A and is support-ed atits outer end on the deck 11 of the boat 9, and may be raised to a substantially perpendicular position as shown in dotted line in Figure Operating means of both gangways will be hereinafter described.

The upper platform is further provided with self-adj usting stairway pivotally mounted at 12--12 and supported on the dock by castors 155-13. This stairway is constructed with steps 111--14n securely attached to the T frames 15-15 and pivotally mounted on the guard-rail 16 and the main support rail 17, so that the steps 14 remain parallel with the ground regardless of the position or incline of the stairway, as shown in dotted lines in Figure`2.

Mounted on the lower platform 2 is a mechanism for raising and lowering the entire structure as described. The power from the motor 18 is transmitted through the clutch 19, thence through gears 20-20 to the shafts 21-21 by evel gears 22-22.

The shafts 21-21 are provided with worms 23-23 engaging with worm-gears 24-24- rlhe worm-gears 2li-24 being rotatably housed in the brackets 25--25 are internally threaded to fit the threads on the screws 26-26. rilhe screws 26-26 are held from rotating by the clamping plates 27-27.

It will be noted by the description in the last paragraph that operation of the motor 18 in either direction will cause the complete structure as described to raise or lower its position in relation to the foundation on which it is installed.

Two standard winches 28-28 are provided for raising and lowering the gangways 6 and 10. This is accomplished by the provision of chains 29-29 attached at one end to the gangways, operating over pulleys 30-30 and having their other ends attached to the drums of their respective winches. The levers 31-32-33 are manually operable, al lowing the operator to select the operationl he may wish the device to perform.

Attached to the lower platform 2, is a runway or tread 34 pivotally mounted at 35, its outer end resting on the dock. This is for allowing egress or ingress to the platform 2 regardless as to whether the structure as described is above or below the dock.

While it: will be apparentthat theillnstratedembodiment of my invention herein disclosed is Well calculated to adequate-ly fnlill the objects and'-advantages:primarily?l 5 stated it is to he understood that the invention is susceptible to Variation, modiiieationj.

and change Within the spirit and scope of the subjoined claims.-

, Having thus described my invention, I claim@V f` Y 1': In ald'eviceothe character-described, the combination-With-a deckfL andan adjnst'- able *rgangway' associated" with said dec-k; of mechanism for` raising and.'l lowering said l5 dee-lig mechanism forfcontrolling, saidgangL Way, al common 'drive-motor. fori said i mechanisms, and rvmeans for selectively connecting ordisconnecting said motor and mechanisms.

2; deviceothe character described, the combination with a plurality of decks, anch gan'gways pivotally attached to said decks, of separate mechanisms `for raising andlowerngfsaidfdecks and said gangways, a motor for actuating said mechanisms and means for independently. disconnecting said mechanisms ronithemotor. A

In:r Witness' whereof Il-hereuntoA set.' my ha.nd

JAMES-G; siena-mns; 

